Chapter 3: The Gambler

"There was something very peculiar about Doc. He was gentlemanly, a good dentist, a friendly man and yet, outside of us boys, I don't think he had a friend in the Territory. Tales were told that he had murdered men in different parts of the country; that he had robbed and committed all manner of crimes, and yet, when persons were asked how they knew it, they could only admit it was hearsay, and that nothing of the kind could really be traced to Doc's account. He was a slender fellow, but whenever a stage was robbed or a row started, and help was needed, Doc was one of the first to saddle his horse and report for duty." ~Virgil Earp on Doc Holliday

Bull Run

Bull Run was busy. The silver moon glowed, illuminating the dirt streets. Men and women of different species milled, chattered and laughed. Unsuspecting strangers were prone to pickpocketing children, knowing that they would never be caught. Loud music emitted from the giant saloon building, located at the corner of the intersection of the two main streets that ran through the town. The lone antelope deputy sat on his rocking chair at the end of one main street, clutching his own weapon, as he observed the scene before him. A scream was heard in the distance and the deputy turned and looked towards where the noise came from. Two men were pushing a woman down the street towards a house. One opened the front door, while the other grabbed her arms in and shoved her through. Laughing wildly, the men slammed the door, and the women's screams disappeared. The deputy shook his head sadly, there was nothing he could do. The town had become worst in the past several years, and it was just another evening of norm at Bull Run.

Out in the distance, underneath the welcoming arms of the moonlight, a lone rider gently trotted towards Bull Run. A faint glow emitted from the cigarette, resting on the side of his mouth as he took a deep drab. He looked up at the town, giving a small smile as the horse and rider got closer and closer. The rider navigated his horse onto the main street leading through town. Ignoring the chaos that ensued around him, the rider pushed his way through the main street, hitting drunk patrons and other civilians. He looked to his right, and noticed the Sheriff's station, and upon seeing the deputy on the wooden chair, the stranger rode up to the antelope.

Resting his gloved paws on the horn of the saddle, the rider spoke, a deep southern drawl touching his words. "Good evening to you, sir. Where would be the best place to spend the night?"

The antelope gripped his rifle, his finger hovering over the trigger. He sized the stranger, sitting on the black horse before him. The stranger wore a low brimmed cowboy hat, with slits through it, where his ears popped out. His shirt, a white pleated front wingtip tux shirt, was seen underneath his red brocade vest, lined with silk. The deputy moved his eyes towards the side of the stranger and was impressed with what he saw. On his left hip, a .38 caliber Colt revolver rested in his holster, and on his front, was another revolver, this one being a .41 caliber Colt. Despite the fact that the stranger was outfitted as a man of wealth, the antelope felt uneasy around him because of his eyes. The strong shade of emerald resonated calmness, but most of all… mischievousness, with a hint of amusement.

The deputy cleared his throat, and pointed down the street towards the saloon. "There are other hotels in the area, but none are nicer as that one down there. You can rent a room if it's available."

The stranger looked down the direction where the deputy was pointing, and saw a giant, two-storied, wooden building. In red, the name "The Pink Pony" was painted above the second floor patio. The rider turned back to the deputy, tipped his hat with thanks, wheeled his horse around and made his way to the building.

The noises became louder as the rider got closer and closer. Chattering mingled with music emitted from the saloon, as the stranger observed the building. Call girls stood on the second floor patio, chatting and fanning themselves. Once they saw the stranger pull up to the hitching post, they giggled and started calling after him. The rider got off his horse, took another drab of his cigarette, and exhaled, while pulling the roll out of his mouth and extinguishing it underneath the bottom of his boot.

Looking at the saloon doors, the stranger moved to the back of his horse and pulled out his jacket, a long flowing brown coat, which was a perfect cover against the scorching desert sands and the wild frontier. Before putting his coat on, the stranger took his revolvers out of his holsters and placed them on his horse. He then took off his gun belt, and after a couple of minutes of making adjustments, he placed the belt back on. Grabbing his revolvers, he placed the .38 caliber on the right side of his hip, and the .41 revolver on his back. He knew that some saloons carry a "no gun allowed" policy. He hated that policy, but in order to bend the rules, the stranger would give up his .38 caliber, but conceal his other revolver. Finally, he put on his jacket, and walked through the swinging doors of the saloon.

The bright lights of the saloon disoriented the stranger for a couple of seconds, and he couldn't help tapping his paw to the beat of the music. Patrons drank at the bar across from him, as tables were spread across the rooms. Above him, more animals drank to their content as they observed the scene below. To his right, in the corner of the wall, a pig, dressed in a vest and black dress pants, played the piano, as a woman, dressed in blue, sang next to him.

"Oh my love… Oh my honey… There is no place I'd rather be..."

The stranger ignored the singing and navigated his way towards the bar. Pushing a patron who was passed out on the counter down to the ground, he waited until the barman noticed him. After a couple of minutes passed, the barman continued serving drinks to other patrons, the stranger cleared his throat loudly. The ear of the barman, a sandy furred basset hound, perked upwards. The dog turned around, and smiled, seeing the stranger, walked towards him. Upon arriving at the spot, the dog took a rag off his shoulder and cleaned the counter where the stranger stood.

"What's your poison?" the basset hound asked.

"No poison. Just a room for the night." The stranger responded.

"We have one room available, but because I run a saloon and a hotel, I really don't want to have trouble. If you could, please leave your weapons in your room. You are more than welcome to carry, but… I really don't want anything."

The rider nodded, accepting the basset hound's terms. Satisfied with the fact that the stranger agreed with him, the dog continued, "Payment for the room is in advance. Will that be for one night?"

The stranger dug into his pocket and pulled out paper money. Throwing some on the counter, he spoke, "Several. This should be enough."

The dog's eyes widened at the stack of paper money. That was more than enough. Deciding that he liked the stranger, he smiled and took the money off the counter and put it on the shelf underneath the bar. He turned around and grabbed a key off the hook and tossed it to the rider. "Room 10. It's on the second floor and you've got a window. But if you're in the mood for activities, we've got poker, black jack and… entertainers," the dog motioned towards the brightly dressed vixens, huddling in the corner of the saloon.

The stranger smiled again. He nodded, gave his thanks and left the counter. Making a left, the rider went up the stairs and was facing a long hallway with multiple doors lining both walls. To his left and right, a railing stood in place, protecting patrons from falling down to the first story below. He took a step forward, and as he did, he felt a tap on his shoulder and the stranger looked to his side. A vixen, fur white as snow and bright purple eyes looked back at him. "Would you like some help going to sleep?" she asked.

The stranger sighed and slowly shook his head. "Not tonight my dear, but may I say that you look ravishing?"

The vixen blushed and giggled, charmed by his mannerism and southern drawl. She winked and turned around, heading back down the stairs and joined the group of women. The stranger watched her go, turned around and headed down the hallway. Once he found room 10, the rider inserted his key, twisted and was greeted with a faint click.

The door swung open inwardly and the rider stepped inside. A single window facing the side of the buildings across the saloon greeted him. Next to the window was a bed and a nightstand. The stranger looked to his left and saw a full sized mirror. The rider nodded to himself and continued to walk inside. Taking off his jacket, the stranger threw it on the bed, and pulled out his .38 revolver. He opened the dresser to the nightstand, put it inside and closed it.

He then took off his gun belt, pulled out his .41 revolver and shoved it between his pants and his shirt. The stranger then adjusted his vest, tucking it inside his pants, concealing the weapon. The rider reached inside the pocket of his dress pants, and pulled out a silver watch. Clicking it open, the stranger ignored the inscription that was on the base of the lid and checked the time. It was still a bit early in the night for him to go to bed, so the stranger decided to have some fun.

He turned around, walked out of the room, shut the door and locked it. Putting the pocket watch away, the rider walked through the hallway and down the stairs. Arriving on the first floor, the stranger noticed a group of four animals; a raccoon, goat, bull, and a fox playing poker in the corner. On both walls, two windows were open, allowing the moonlight through. The stranger smiled to himself, as there was a fifth chair. He sauntered towards the table and after watching for several minutes, cleared his throat and spoke, "Got room for one more?"

The raccoon turned around and saw a well-dressed animal standing before him. Slowly nodding, the player pointed at the chair across from him, in a dark corner speaking, "Seeing as we don't have any chips, buy in's ten dollars as we gotta use our money."

The rider nodded his thanks, moved his around the table and sat down between the fox and the bull. Pulling out the allotted money needed for a buy-in, the stranger placed the stack on the table between himself and the bull. The raccoon started to deal, and each player received two cards. The rider looked at the cards, pleased with what he saw.

The animals around him started to place bets, with the goat folding on the first round. The stranger pondered for a minute and decided to join in. The raccoon grabbed the deck of cards in front of him, and flipped the three cards. When he was finished, the raccoon called a raise, causing the bull to fold. When it was the stranger's turn, the rider looked at his cards again, cleared his throat and met the raccoon's bet. The fox, sitting next to him folded, leaving the stranger and the raccoon as the only players, with the pot being five dollars.

The raccoon flipped over another card, and the stranger heart thumped with nervousness, yet he kept a straight face, hoping the raccoon wouldn't read him. The raccoon checked, and the stranger, not needing to look at his cards anymore decided to bet. The raccoon raised his the bet with a smile. "I think you're bluffing, pardner."

"Am I?"

The raccoon motioned towards the center of the table where the cards were. "If you're not, then I'd call."

The stranger leaned forward, as the players around him held their breaths. The pot had increased to fifteen dollars with the raccoon's raise. After reading the raccoon, the stranger gave a small smile and leaned back in his chair. "Fine… then I call." With that statement, the rider placed his money in the center of the table, raising the pot to fifteen dollars.

The raccoon flipped the river and decided to check. The stranger followed suit and the raccoon showed his cards with a smile. "Three pairs."

The other players looked at the rider. The stranger leaned forward and smiled again, "You've got a good hand… But you need to play better. I've got a straight." As he said it, he flipped the cards over, and the raccoon looked back and forth between the center of the table and the stranger's hand. True to his word, the stranger did have a straight, and grabbed the money off the center of the table smiling broadly.

The group of animals played for an hour, all of them losing big and winning big. Money was exchanged as each and every animal was determined to bankrupt the other player. Soon, a small crowd formed around the table, watching the skilled poker players work their magic. Even the music stopped as the pig and the singer joined the onlookers. The stranger was a crowd favorite, cracking jokes and charming the onlookers with his southern voice and gentlemanly manners. The goat was the first to go, followed by the fox and then the bull, leaving the stranger and the raccoon alone.

"It's my deal isn't it?" the stranger asked, reaching for the deck of cards.

The raccoon nodded silently, fury burning inside of him. How did the stranger across from him keep winning? He was determined to silence the animal by bankrupting him once and for all, and this was the round to do it. He and the stranger had the same exact amount of money earned, twenty five dollars and the raccoon was unwavering in his resolve to win the entire pot.

The stranger dealt and placed the deck of cards next to him on the table. After looking at the cards, he read the raccoon's facial expression. It showed him nothing, but a second instinct told him that the raccoon wanted to finish the game once and for all. The stranger threw in a bet, two dollars. The raccoon met the amount and the stranger grabbed the deck of cards, and flipped over three cards, showing a queen of hearts, a four of diamonds and a four of clubs. After putting the deck of cards away, the stranger checked his cards again. Seeing that he had a King of hearts and a two of spades, the rider looked at the raccoon, narrowing his eyes. He sighed and put his cards down and spoke. "Fifteen dollars."

After the money left his hands, the raccoon immediately called and met the same amount. The stranger flipped the next card, showing a Jack of hearts. Keeping a straight face, the stranger knew that the cards were not in his favor, but maintained his posture. So he checked, and the raccoon did the same.

Finally, with the onlookers holding their breath, the stranger flipped the river, revealing a ten of hearts. The stranger looked up at the raccoon and pondered his options. Finally, a familiar thump of his paw hitting the table gave the raccoon a turn to make a bet. The animal looked back at the rider and slowly nodded his head. Throwing all of his money at the center of the pot, the raccoon spoke through the gasp of the crowd, "All in."

The stranger sighed. He was trapped. On one hand, he could fold and keep the remaining money because his bluff didn't work at the beginning of the round. On the other hand, he could meet the raccoon's call and go all in, and leave for the night. The raccoon sat in his chair, a smile on his face, knowing he had trapped the infuriating, bothersome stranger. "Your turn," the raccoon spoke.

The rider was silent, reading the dark eyes of the raccoon, hoping that the animal was bluffing. But his gut told him that the raccoon was being truthful. He shifted in his seat and opened his mouth to speak, while slowly moving his cards to the center of the table to fold.

A gunshot noise was heard. The crowd jumped as the noise shattered the silence like glass, gasped and looked outside of the window. The stranger did the same and saw a figure standing in the middle of the road, holding a rifle. Standing before the figure were three animals, a limping stoat, weasel and a ferret.

Forgetting the poker game, the crowd turned around and left the table, the raccoon looking at the cards and back at the stranger. The stranger looked back and shook his head, grabbing his money and shoving it in his pocket, walked with the crowd outside. After a couple of seconds, curiosity over took the raccoon and he followed the rider.

The figure was a bunny, their long grey ears protruding out through the slits of the cowboy hat, called at the three figures catching the stranger off guard with her feminine voice, "I see you brought some friends."

"Yeah!" the stoat yelled back. "I told you I'd get you, rabbit!"

The bunny sighed. "I gave you a chance to leave and told you that you'd be dead if I ever clapped my eyes on ya. Now, you have one last chance. Leave and don't come back."

The stoat looked at the weasel and the ferret and started laughing. "It's three against one, rabbit. Make your move."

The rider reached inside of his pocket and pulled out a cigarette and a match. Lighting his cigarette, the stranger leaned against the pole, interested to see where this was going. The streets immediately cleared as the bunny stood resolutely, facing the three criminals. A glow emitted from his cigarette as he took a drab, the stranger waited for anyone to make the first move.

Under the silvery glow of the moonlight, the weasel granted the stranger's wish. He cocked the hammer of his gun, and moved his finger to squeeze the trigger. A gunshot was heard, followed by two more and the stranger's mouth fell open, his cigarette falling out, and extinguishing itself in the dirt.

As soon as she saw the weasel pull the hammer, the bunny raised her rifle and fired. The bullet flew through the heart of the creature, and taking advantage of the surprise, the bunny cocked her rifle again and shot the ferret. The stoat watched both of his comrades fall, and before he could process what had happened, the bunny had thrown her rifle on the ground, pulled out her already cocked revolver and snuffed out his life.

Whispers ensued around the onlookers as they witnessed the scene. "That was fast." They all murmured amongst each other. The bunny picked up her rifle from the ground and slung it around her back. She walked towards a horse, climbed on it and headed to a hotel at the end of the street. Now the saloon crowd looked back at the stranger expectantly and he smiled. "I guess it's time to finish the game?"

He walked back inside the saloon, with the crowd following him and the raccoon. The stranger returned to his chair and sat down, leaning backwards. The raccoon sat across from him, smiling again. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

A few minutes passed as the stranger pondered his choice. A squeaking noise from the saloon doors were heard, and the bunny from the street walked in. She made a beeline to the bar and spoke with the basset hound. The hound shrugged and the stranger could tell that she was disappointed. Instead of leaving, the bunny turned around and sat in the chair in front of the bar and watched the two players. The stranger studied her closely and decided that despite her outward appearance, she was a fighter, as shown through the duel between herself and the criminals. The rider turned his attention back to the raccoon, checked his cards and sighed. To the raccoon's chagrin, the stranger pulled out another cigarette. Lighting it, he let it hang out of the side of his mouth, a faint dim of light emitting from it as he inhaled. After blowing out a small stream of smoke, "All in." he spoke, throwing his money in the center of the table.

The crowd talked amongst themselves as they watched the scene unfold before them. Bets exchanged hands as they picked sides to who would win the game. The raccoon smiled and flipped over his cards, revealing a pair of a four of spades and a four of hearts. "Four of a kind," the raccoon spoke, smiling broadly.

The crowd cheered, as the cards were in the raccoon's favor. The stranger's smile disappeared as he shook his head. The raccoon chortled with victory and reached for the pot. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," the stranger spoke, with a southern drawl stretching the 'I'. The rider flipped over his cards, revealing a King of hearts and an Ace of hearts. "Royal flush."

The crowd of onlookers went wild as the raccoon did a double take. Sure enough, the stranger had the flush. Before he reached out to grab the money from the center of the pot, the stranger felt a card sliding out of his sleeve and into his paw, it was his two of spades. In the middle of the distraction, he quickly slipped the card into the deck and reached for the money. After he was done, the stranger scooched his chair backwards until it was touching the wall, and keeping his eyes on the bunny, started to stand up. The familiar sound of the hammer clicking in the revolver was heard, and the crowd backed up nervously. In his rage, the raccoon had stood up, pulled out his gun and took aim at the stranger.

The stranger slowly sat back down, and raised his hands up. "I wouldn't do that if I was you," he warned.

"Why not?" the raccoon thundered with rage.

"Well… because seein' as this is a pleasant bar, we wouldn't want to spoil the nice man's evening," he pointed at the basset hound behind the bar. The raccoon looked at the dog and back at the stranger. "He can go to hell," the animal spoke, his voice quivering with rage, "and you can go with him. I don't know how, but you cheated!"

The stranger sighed and leaned back, searching for the bunny. She was sitting there, but had left the chair and was moving slowly towards the raccoon. The rider looked back at the raccoon and spoke, "Now you've gone and got the nice lady off her chair. She just finished killin' three men!"

The raccoon turned and looked at the bunny who had her hand on her pistol at the side of her hip. "Don't come any closer!" He spat, "You do anything, and I'll take care of you, when I'm done with him!" After measuring the petite bunny, the raccoon laughed, "I'll take care of you good."

Pain flashed across his stomach as the raccoon fell face first on the poker table. The stranger had raised his leg and kicked the edge of the table. The furniture slid backwards a few centimeters, but with such force that caused the animal to double over. The unlucky poker player found himself pinned between the table and the powerful arm of the stranger. Hot breath washed over him, causing him to whimper with fear, as the stranger looked down at his prey and looked back up at the crowd of onlookers. Making a decision, the stranger leaned down and spoke, "I was fine with you disrespectin' me, but I am not fine with you disrespectin the lady. You do that again…" the stranger continued and pulled out the cigarette from his mouth. Placing the end of it on the raccoon, the unfortunate animal screamed with pain as the rider pushed down, causing his fur to singe and burn. "And you'll get somethin' far worse than this cigarette."

The stranger moved down closer until he was making eye contact with the poker player. The raccoon looked deep in the emerald green eyes and whimpered again, knowing that his words of warning was laced with truth. "Am I understood?" the rider asked.

The raccoon could only nod his head. Satisfied with his answer, the stranger grabbed the animal by his vest, and with a mighty heave, pulled him through the crowded saloon and threw him out of the building. Pulling out his pistol, he fired it into the air, causing the raccoon to jump and sprint down the road through the darkness. "And don't let me see you again!" the stranger called after him.

The rider shook his head and holstered his pistol. He turned around to go back into the building, but before he did, he noticed the antelope looking at him from across the street. Giving a small wave, the deputy merely nodded and turned his attention away. The stranger turned around and moved back inside.

Pushing his way through the crowd and towards the bar, the stranger winked at the bunny that was standing near the counter. Once arriving, he split his winnings in half and gave it to the basset hound. "My apologies for spoiling your night. This is to make up for it." The dog shrugged his shoulder. "Raymond was an idiot. He's always causing trouble and I've warned him against it. He'd never listen, so I guess he got what was comin' to him."

The stranger nodded and turned around and saw the bunny looking back at him. The bunny nodded her acknowledgement as her paw lightly touched the revolver on her side. "Thanks for that back there."

He shrugged. "You didn't need any help seein' as you could take care of yourself."

The bunny chuckled. "You saw that? Just a bunch of idiots set fire to my farm and decided they needed revenge after I gave him a whippin'." She shook her head, impressed with how the stranger standing before her handled the situation. "I feel like I own you a drink. What do ya want?"

The fox smiled, deciding he liked her. "Shot of whisky, will do." The rider sat on the stool next to the bunny, his right arm resting on the bar counter. After the bunny put in the order, she turned around and sat on the stool, prompting the rider to ask, "So…" he tilted his head towards the petite bunny. "What's a lady like you doin' in a place like this?"

The bunny hesitated for a second. Making a decision, she nodded and spoke, "Well, it turned out like this…"

/

Judy Hopps' Farm

"So what do you want to do with him?"

"Huh?" Judy asked, turned her attention to the speaker

"Him." Bogo gestured towards the stoat.

The bunny merely shrugged her shoulders. "Arrest him, kill him, hang him, or even maim him. I don't care… as long as he gets off my property."

Bogo chuckled. "Well, I could arrest him and bring him back to jail. Problem is… there's only enough supplies for Clawhauser and myself. He'd never make it alive."

"So what? Bogo, he set fire to my barn!"

"I know, Judy… but there's a process to this."

Judy shook her head with disgust and turned her face away, looking towards her own house. Through the window, she could see her oldest son, Morgan, peering through the glass. After she made eye contact, Morgan immediately disappeared from view. After a few minutes of hesitation, Judy unfolded her arms and turned around.

The stoat gave a small squeal of fear as Judy pulled out her knife that she always carried. The long hunting knife shone in the sunlight as the bunny slashed it downwards, causing the ropes to fall off.

Bogo and Clawhauser gripped their rifles with concern, and aimed their weapons at the stoat. Ignoring the action, Judy grabbed the stoat by the scruff of his neck and pushed him into the plains. Slinging her rifle around, Judy aimed it at the unfortunate criminal. "Take your clothes off." She commanded.

The afternoon sun beat down on the stoat, causing him to perspire even more. Not sure with what he heard, he took a step forward, causing the bunny to raise her rifle even more. The criminal raised his hands and spoke, "What?"

"You heard me."

"I'm not gonna do it."

Judy shrugged her shoulders. "Suit yourself." She took aim.

"Wait…wait…" the stoat chuckled nervously. "Maybe I was being too hasty." Within a couple of minutes, the stoat stood bare, with the exception of a pair of underwear. Judy collected the discarded clothes and handed them to Bogo. "A donation for the less fortunate."

Bogo chuckled as he took the clothes, keeping an eye at the unfortunate criminal. "I think this fella is less fortunate that the ones in my town."

"I don't care." Turning back to the stoat, Judy spoke, "It took me roughly three minutes to get from the top of that hill, yonder, to here on horseback. I'm gunna give you a fightin' chance even though you and your scum don't deserve it…."

The stoat, quivering with rage and humiliation cut her off, "I'm gonna get you rabbit! I promise!"

A smack from Clawhauser's heavy paw shut him up. Judy nodded her thanks and turned back. "Like I was sayin… a fighting chance. You have five minutes to get up that hill. If I see you, I'm going to get you…" She grabbed the stoat and forced him to look at her in the eyes. "And you've seen how I shoot…"

The stoat nodded and stood up, trembling. Counting down from five, the stoat readied himself. Once the bunny hit zero, the criminal took off, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. Judy rolled her eyes, turned around and joined Bogo and Clawhauser underneath the shade.

"Now, Bogo… What are you doing here?"

"What? Can't I visit an old friend?"

"Not with Clawhauser."

Bogo chuckled and shook his head. "Cutting right to the chase huh? You were always a straight shooter, Judy."

"In my line of business, you'd have to be."

Bogo narrowed his eyes, giving the bunny a half smile. "A farmer or a bounty hunter?"

Judy looked back at the Cape buffalo. She stood up and slung her rifle around her shoulder. Squaring her shoulders the bunny looked at the sheriff, her jaw set. "The answer's no."

"But you haven't heard what I have to say."

"I don't care, Bogo. I've given too much to be here."

"I know, Judy… but I need your help. Please…. Bull Run was just hit by the Bloodhounds. Callahan was just there."

Judy slowly turned back to Bogo at the mention of Callahan and the Bloodhounds. Her voice quivered with rage as she spoke, "What do you mean?"

"They hit the bank. Made away with several gold bars."

"And you didn't do anything?"

"Judy… there was only three of us. Callahan has an entire crew."

"I don't care… You should have done something!"

"I'm here aren't I?"

Judy gave a grunt of frustration, turned around and saw the stoat almost reaching the top. She unslung her rifle, aimed, and after a couple of seconds, fired. The gunshot was heard and the bullet spewed through the air. It slammed through the stoat's leg and he fell down crying with pain.

Judy shook her head as the criminal made the craw for the final few feet up the hill. "You know what he did… I can't go back to that again… I… I can't."

"Judy… please think about it."

After spending a few seconds, she nodded her head. "Right… I believe you boys have overstayed your welcome. You know your way out."

"Judy…"

"Please, Bogo." She spoke, her voice cracking. "I can't."

The Cape buffalo nodded slowly. He put on his hat, turned around and climbed on his horse with Clawhauser in tow. Without saying a goodbye, they turned around and headed up the hill and away from the farm.

With a sigh, Judy sat down on the porch, lost in thought. A door creaked open, snapping her back to the present as Morgan sat down. The sun was already starting to disappear behind the large hill as Judy raised her arm, pulling her oldest son in closer. "I love you."

"You need to go after him, Mom."

Judy looked back at her son with shock. "Were you listening to me?"

Morgan nodded, resolve in his eyes. "You need to stop him."

"It's not that simple, honey."

"But you always said that we need to do the right thing. Catching the bad guy is the right thing ain't it?"

"Morgan…"

"Mom… Dad would want you to do it."

Judy pushed her son away and with fury, pointed her finger at him. "Your father isn't here. I am. I say what we can and cannot do. I am not leaving this farm and everything I worked for to pieces going after Callahan. Morgan… you were young, but you have seen it. We suffered, and lost everything."

Morgan slowly nodded his head, tears forming in his eyes. Judy sighed and pulled her oldest son into a hug.

"But Mama… by letting him go, you're only going to have people get hurt…. I don't think Dad would want that." A small voice appeared.

Judy sighed and looked towards the front door. Samuel had poked his head around the corner and caught a snippet of the conversation. "I don't know whatcha talkin about… but I know that if Daddy could help someone, he could. So why can't you?"

Judy spent a couple of seconds staring at her youngest son. She shook her head with awe and looked at her oldest. After a couple of minutes, she spoke, "This'll be dangerous. I won't be back for a long time."

"I can take care of the farm. Henny will be here too."

"You're darn right I will!" the hen had walked outside. "You're gonna go out and…" she looked at Morgan and covered his ears with her wings. "Catch that son of a biscuit!"

Judy threw her arms up in exasperation. "Can't I have any privacy?"

Morgan laughed and shook his head. "But Mom… Please… more people will get hurt if you don't do this."

The bunny sighed, pulled both of her sons in an embrace. "Alright… I'll leave tonight."

/

Bull Run

"Took me several days, but I'm here…"

The stranger whistled. "That's interesting." He had been listening, and not once touching his drink. Remembering it was there, he grabbed it and downed it in one go. After coughing to clear the burning in his throat, he turned around and spoke. "So… what do you think you're gunna find?"

"Honestly? I have no idea… I don't even know where to start."

The stranger gave a small smile. "How about One-Eyed Jack?"

Judy looked back at the stranger with confusion. "One-Eyed Jack? Who's that?"

"Oh… Just an animal who did dealings with Callahan in the past… Get to him and he'll spill the beans."

"How do you know him?"
The stranger smiled, his mischievousness showing through his eyes. "Well... He was a gambling partner at one time, but now…" the stranger's voice trailed off. "He's… doing other activities."

"As what?"

The stranger shook his head. "I'd rather not say. But give him a scotch and he'll tell you everything."

"Thanks for the tip!"

"Oh… only one problem." The stranger spoke as the bunny got off the stool. "He's a wanted animal… Go after him and you'll find other bounty hunters are gunning for him."

Placing her paw on the holster, the bunny spoke, "So what do you suggest?"

"Get a good night sleep, and go after him with a clear mind tomorrow."

Judy nodded taking his advice to heart. She turned around and started to leave. On a whim she stopped in her tracks and looked back. The stranger was still sitting on the stool, looking at the wall. The bunny moved back and propped her paw out. "I've never introduced myself. My name is Hopps. Judy Hopps."

The stranger was taken aback. But he shook her paw and nodded. "Hopps? Any relation to Wyatt Hopps?"

Judy was silent for a couple of seconds. Finally she nodded. "He was my husband."

"Was?" the stranger paused. "My condolences… I had no idea."

"You knew him?"

"Aye… saved my life from a game gone wrong back in Deer Creek. The guy had me dead to rights but he stepped in. I've always been in his debt." The stranger was silent, then he spoke up. "Well… seein that you're all alone and I have nothin' better to do, how about we both bring in One-Eyed Jack? I think we'd make a good team."

Judy hesitated. It would be nice to have someone traveling with her, and to have a second gun. She wanted to say no with all of her might, but a second instinct told her that she would regret it if she had given that answer. Also she had seen how he handled himself with the raccoon and the same instinct told her that he could handle a whole lot more. Finally, she nodded. "Sure… we can meet tomorrow… What's your name?"

The fox smiled, his emerald eyes glowing as he raised his paw. "Miss Hopps, my name is Nicholas Wilde." The vulpine gave her a half smile and a wink. "But my friends call me Doc."